Cumbria suicide deaths rise in 2025 ONS figures

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 10:28 · Archive

Suicide deaths rose in Cumbria in 2025, with Cumberland recording 44 deaths and Westmorland and Furness 31.

The Office for National Statistics published suicide data for 2025 on 13 October, showing increases across Cumbria's two council areas. Cumberland recorded 44 deaths by suicide, up from 40 in 2024. Westmorland and Furness recorded 31 deaths, up from 26 in 2024, representing an increase of more than 19 per cent.

In Cumberland, 36 of the 44 deaths were male and eight were female. Westmorland and Furness also saw more men than women die by suicide, with 22 male deaths and nine female deaths.

Sonya Trivedy, executive director of external engagement at Samaritans, said the figures represented 'a stark reminder that complacency is not an option'. She noted that the latest ONS figures show suicide rates are among the highest recorded this century.

Ms Trivedy highlighted that men remain three times more likely to die by suicide than women, and that middle-aged men continue to have the highest suicide rate of any group, a trend that has persisted for decades.

Ms Trivedy called for action, saying: 'The evidence is clear that successive Governments have failed to deliver on their promise to reduce suicide rates and make suicide prevention a priority. Today must act as a wake up call. The current approach is not working; we need meaningful action and proper funding if lives are to be saved.'

How it is being reported

• Suicide rise in county recorded as Office for National Statistics publishes dataSuicide rates have risen in Cumbria, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.Cumberland News · 17 Oct, 10:00
• Suicide rise in county recorded as Office for National Statistics publishes dataSuicide rates have risen in Cumbria, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.Whitehaven News · 17 Oct, 10:00
• Suicide rise in county recorded as Office for National Statistics publishes dataSuicide rates have risen in Cumbria, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.Westmorland Gazette · 17 Oct, 10:00
• Suicide rise in county recorded as Office for National Statistics publishes dataSuicide rates have risen in Cumbria, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.NW Evening Mail · 17 Oct, 10:00

In this story: Cumbria · Cumberland Council · Westmorland and Furness · Office for National Statistics · Samaritans · Sonya Trivedy

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